Endura G10 & Aqua Salt

cgmblade

cgmblade

Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
1,358
The prices were just too good to pass up. I ordered these before Christmas but they just got here today.

Spyderco Endura G10 w/ FFG VG-10 blade. On my cheap postal scale the knife weighs 4.25 oz. The G10 handle is 10.5 mm thick, which is about 1mm thinner than the Military. The FFG VG-10 blade is 3 13/16" long and 3mm thick. The closed length is just under 5" which is about 1/2" shorter than the Military.

I'm a big fan of the mid-lock and I'm very impressed with this knife. It looks and feels like a much higher quality knife than the outstanding FRN E4.

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Here's the Endura G10 compared to the Digi cam Military

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You are right - the G10 makes it feel like an entirely different knife than the FRN. To me it feels a little thicker than the FRN version, though in reality the opposite is true. It think its the hefty feel that makes it seem thicker.
 
I don't have many fixed blades and this is my first fixed blade knife from Spyderco. The H1 blade is 4 11/16" long and 3mm thick just like the Endura G10. It weighs 4.2 oz.

It seems very strong and well made, and it is quite comfortable in the hand. I wouldn't have any reservations about using this knife hard for any normal camp/backpacking chores. Of course it was designed for a salt water environment and I'm sure it would excel in any such applications.

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powernoodle said:
You are right - the G10 makes it feel like an entirely different knife than the FRN. To me it feels a little thicker than the FRN version, though in reality the opposite is true. It think its the hefty feel that makes it seem thicker.
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I was trying to get in my second post w/ the Aqua Salt before anyone else posted. But it doesn't really matter and I totally agree with you. The G10 Endura at the closeout prices we had was probably the best deal of the year.
 
cgmblade said:
I was trying to get in my second post w/ the Aqua Salt before anyone else posted. But it doesn't really matter and I totally agree with you. The G10 Endura at the closeout prices we had was probably the best deal of the year.
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Picked up a G-10 E4 myself. Comparing it to the FRN version, it seems like a beast. Heavier and stiffer. Feels more substantial.

The flat grind is awesome. They must've sold out pretty quick.
 
Those are some of the best pics of the Aqua Salt I've seen.

Congrats on two excellent knives!
 
I appreciate everyone's comments. The G10 Endura just feels so much more substantial and classy than the FRN model and I love the FRN models. I'm also really impressed w/ the Aqua Salt. I plan on using it every opportunity I get. I already have a Pacific Salt and Salt 1 so I'm a big fan of the series and well versed in the great qualities of H1.

I also appreciate the positive comments regarding my pics. I think the secret is if you take enough pics a few of them are bound to come out okay. I've been trying different settings on my camera and different backdrops and lighting to get good knife pictures and it's not easy. I take pictures regularly as part of my job, but they are usually of large immovable objects and detail isn't important. Knives with their reflective surfaces and angles are proving to be very difficult. My best results so far have come from using an outdoor setting on a sunny day. I've still got lots and lots to learn, but it's nice when a few come out well.
 
autoopen said:
Amen brother! I got one off Poor_Fish on ebay on December 20th for $66.99 shipped UPS. It was the best deal of the year. :)
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Yeah, I hadn't intended to purchase either of these knives but the year end prices on these models convinced me to get them. They're great knives and a great bargain.
 
man i really really want the Aqua Salt in that same yellow/ PE configuration. how "hand filling" is the handle to you? is there a ridge a the top of the handle where the molds come together? if by chance you find the time and situation right could you take a picture of the spine/ top of the handle? beautiful knife IMO
 
Hands come in all shapes and sizes. Mine are small to medium. Not short and stubby, more thin with relatively long fingers. The handle of the Aqua Salt is ergonomic and is about the same width as the handle of the Buck 105 Pathfinder and a little narrower than the handle of the Camillus USAF survival knife. Though it is more ergonomic than either of those.

In my naked hand it feels good but a little small. Kinda like a overgrown steak knife. Another 1/4" would make it perfect. Then I thought that since this was a dive knife that perhaps it was designed for divers wearing gloves. I'm not a scuba diver, but I put on a pair of leather work gloves and tried it again and compared it to a Gerber LMF II which has a handle that feels very good in my naked hand.

The gloves made all the difference. With the gloves the handle of the Gerber was too big for me to get a real secure grip and I was able to grab the blade with my other hand and twist it, but the Aqua Salt felt great with the gloved hand and it was very secure. I was unable to twist it at all with my other hand.

Without the glove the Gerber feels great and is very secure. With the glove the Gerber feels awkward and I don't have a secure grip on it.

Without the glove the Aqua Salt is comfortable but feels like it needs another 1/4" though it is very secure in my naked hand and I can't twist the blade at all with my other hand. With the glove the Aqua Salt feels perfect and is very secure as I mentioned above.

So, I think a lot of thought went into the handle design. With or without a glove the knife is comfortable and perfectly usable, but if it had a bigger handle the knife might be unusable once a diver put a glove on.

In regards to the seam on top of the handle; I hadn't noticed it until I read your post and looked. It's there, but so smooth that I had to get a magnifying glass to see it clearly. It's not noticeable in use.

Hope this makes sense and is useful to you. Here are some pics.

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Here's the Aqua Salt w/ the Buck Pathfinder

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I'm a noob when it comes to Spyderco knives, why are there so many mounting holes on the Endura? I don't think I've seen that many on any of the others..just wondering, Thanks, Steve
 
SWATZO said:
I'm a noob when it comes to Spyderco knives, why are there so many mounting holes on the Endura? I don't think I've seen that many on any of the others..just wondering, Thanks, Steve
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If you mean for the clip, it's because you get such a choice of where you want to place it. You can do left/right, tip-up/down carry. The big hole in the middle on the bottom is for lanyards.
 
THG said:
If you mean for the clip, it's because you get such a choice of where you want to place it. You can do left/right, tip-up/down carry. The big hole in the middle on the bottom is for lanyards.
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+1 :thumbup: THG is right. The Endura is made for four way clip placement. tip-up/tip-down, right/left.
 
4-way clip placement has become pretty common on Spyderco knives. I think when the new Military comes out it will have it too.
 
Thanks! I just ordered my Endura G10 w/ FFG VG-10..price was just way too good..had been leaning towards the Military, but at a little more then 1/2 the price the Endura lured me away! ;)
Best, Steve
 
Steve, that may be the best knife buying decision you ever make. The G10 Endura is an amazing knife and at those prices it's a no brainer. I'm sure you'll love it.
 
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